Odisha school students made to sit separately over ‘non-purification after family member’s death’

Three pupils of Thakurapatana Primary School in Jagatsinghpur district's Balikuda block were allegedly separated from their classmates and were forced to sit in the verandah as they allegedly had not undergone the purification rituals following a family member’s recent death.

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The incident, which took place last Saturday, has drawn significant attention after a video of it went viral on social media. However, the school headmistress has countered these claims on Monday, stating that the situation is being misrepresented.

Headmistress Sasmita Swain is alleged to have enforced this exclusion, thereby provoking widespread condemnation in nearby villages. As demands for an investigation grow, the local community remains divided on the issue of discrimination.

The headmistress refutes accusation

“Allegation levelled against me is false. The three children were committing a nuisance, for which I had asked them to sit separately to make them afraid. I did not do any sort of discrimination whatsoever. I have been teaching them for the last several years. I had also taught their parents,” the headmistress expressed.

“There was misunderstanding and things have been amicably settled,” Sasmita Swain said.

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“The headmistress has not done right. We will take appropriate action against her. A written complaint has been made to the block education officer (BEO). The BEO is busy in other official works but will look into this,” Balikuda ABEO Jharana Mohanty stated.

Comments from the children’s parents were not received despite attempts.

Reported By: Manas